In packed 10th District congressional election, Donald Payne Jr. is viewed as front-runner

Jennifer Hulshizer/For The Star-LedgerDonald Payne Jr., son of the late Congressman Donald Payne Sr., is considered by many to be the favorite in the crowded race to fill his father's congressional seat in the 10th District, which covers parts of Essex, Hudson and Union counties.

He has the name. He has the money. He has the backing of one of New Jersey’s most powerful political machines.

But Donald Payne Jr.'s opponents say he is not the leader his father was.

As candidates duke it out to replace the late Rep. Donald Payne Sr. in the 10th Congressional District, Payne Jr.’s challengers are asking: What’s in a name?

"Are we going to have a legacy of name or a legacy of purpose?" state Sen. Nia Gill (D-Essex) said at a recent candidates forum at the Trinity Church in Newark.

"Is this an election to fill the shoes of a giant or are we going to make this a referendum on taking our party back?" Newark Councilman Ron Rice said at the same forum.

In fact, Payne’s credibility as heir to his father’s legend suffered a self-administered blow last week when he was the only candidate at the forum who could not name a single piece of legislation sponsored by his father.

"Well, the first two people stole my pieces of legislation," Payne said when asked to name a bill with his father’s name on it. "There are so many things that the congressman was involved in over the years."

Still, while facing challenges from Gill, Rice, Irvington Mayor Wayne Smith, political newcomers Cathy Wright and Dennis Flynn, Payne is considered by many to be the favorite in the crucial June 5 primary.

The 10th District, which includes parts of Essex, Hudson and Union counties, has not been in serious contention for decades. Payne Sr. was the first black man elected to Congress in New Jersey and safely held the seat since 1989 before dying in March of colon cancer. His ascendancy cemented a political dynasty in Newark that has dominated local elections for 20 years.

Star-Ledger file photosState Sen. Nia Gill and Newark City Councilman Ron Rice Jr. are among the candidates vying for the 10th District Congressional seat vacated after the death of U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Sr.

Whoever wins the June 5 primary in the heavily Democratic district is virtually guaranteed victory in the November general election.

Payne Jr. is not shy about using his father’s status as his chief credential.

"I feel I am the best person at this time to follow in the legacy of Donald Payne and continue to serve in the manner to which you’ve been accustomed to being served for the last 23 years," he said at a forum held by the Newark League of Women Voters and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

But Rice and Gill are turning that legacy against him, fighting to infuse the seat with fresh blood. For Rice it’s about a new generation. For Gill it’s about electing the first African-American woman to New Jersey’s congressional delegation.

"Send the first black woman [from New Jersey] to the Congress of the United States," Gill, 64, told the crowd at Trinity Church. "The only thing in Congress that I won’t know on the first day is where the ladies room is."

Rice, 44, said youth is his advantage.

"Send a real, new generation leader to Washington to represent you at the status that you are, because I’m in that status," Rice told the same crowd.

The candidates don’t differ much on their politics. In a district with an unemployment rate in some areas that is twice the national average, jobs are the first priority of all the contenders. Health care, education and the environment follow.

Most candidates said they are staunch allies of President Obama, but Gill vowed to fight for stronger gun control. Gill also stresses that she is fighting for women’s issues.

Rice argues that he is the most progressive in the bunch. He routinely points to his early support of Obama while the Payne family backed Hillary Clinton during the 2008 presidential primary.

On credentials, Gill leads the pack. She has a law degree from Rutgers, along with three terms in the Assembly and three terms in the state Senate. Rice has a law degree from Seton Hall, along with two terms as a Newark councilman.

Payne Jr. is a two-term, at-large Newark councilman and the council president, as well as a three-term Essex County freeholder.

Payne seems to be the dominant fundraiser. His campaign had raised $190,000 as of last week. The other campaigns did not provide numbers ahead of a Federal Election Commission report due out this week, but based on their March totals — all less than $50,000 — it seems unlikely they have matched Payne.

But after the money, the resumes and the rhetoric, the election in the 10th District will come down to old-fashioned politics.

Facebook/The Star-LedgerStar-Ledger billing employee Cathy Wright and Irvington Mayor Wayne Smith are among the candidates vying for the 10th District Congressional seat vacated after the death of U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Sr.

While Payne holds support from the powerful Essex Democrats, Gill has the backing of the Hudson Dems and Union is wide open. However, two of Hudson County’s most influential Democrats, Sen. Robert Menendez and Jersey City Councilman Steven Fulop, are backing Payne.

And while Payne, Rice, Gill, and Smith appear on the same ballot line in Union County, Payne’s name comes first, which could have an impact.

Although Payne has the support of the Essex Democratic machine, Newark City Council members Ras Baraka, Mildred Crump and Darrin Sharif are supporting Rice. Baraka’s support will be key as he pulls votes in the South Ward, the Payne family’s political base.

"I think they’re really going to be fighting it out in Newark and Union," said Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute.

But Gill, who represents Montclair in the state Senate, will likely do better in the suburbs.

"Nia Gill has selling power in the suburban bedroom communities. I think she probably excels there," said Brigid Harrison, a political science professor at Montclair State University.

Payne and Rice have both racked up union endorsements, but the consequences differ, pundits say. Rice has the support of the Communications Workers of America, the state’s biggest and one if its most effective labor groups.

"I think the CWA endorsement is really important here because that’s the union that really puts resources out on election day," Murray said.

Smith, Wright and Flynn are the underdogs, having not raised the necessary $5,000 to register with the FEC.

Wright told voters that her unknown status is a boon.

"I have no pedigree to show you here today," she said at a recent forum. "I think that’s what Washington needs, more real people — not career politicians."

THE CANDIDATES: 10TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

DENNIS R. FLYNN
• Age: 32
• Education: Bachelor of Arts from Rutgers
• Political experience: None
• Other: Served in the U.S. Air force. Iraq war veteran.

NIA GILL
• Age: 64
• Education: Bachelor of Arts from Upsala College. Juris Doctor from Rutgers University.
• Political experience: Served three terms in the N.J. State Assembly. Currently in her third term as a N.J. state senator. Currently the Senate President Pro Tempore.
• Other: Attorney with the firm of Nia H. Gill.

DONALD PAYNE JR.
• Age: 53
• Education: Attended Kean University but did not graduate.
• Political experience: Currently in his second term as an At-large Newark City Councilman. Council president since 2010. Currently serving his third term as an Essex County Freeholder.
• Other: Has held several former jobs including toll collector, transportation supervisor in Essex County and a production coordinator for Urban Data Systems. Son of the late U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Sr.

RON C. RICE
• Age: 44
• Education: Bachelor of Arts from American University. Juris Doctor from Seton Hall Law School.
• Political experience: Currently serving his second term as the Newark West Ward Councilman.
• Other: Worked for State Department of Education. Son of State Sen. Ron L. Rice.

CATHY WRIGHT
• Age: 58
• Education: Attended Rutgers but did not graduate.
• Political experience: None
• Other: AT&T manager for 23 years. Currently works in the billing department of The Star-Ledger.